Addie Chandler tallied a penalty-stroke goal with 57 seconds left in Sunday's overtime, sending the #6 Middlebury field hockey team to a 1-0 victory over #1 Christopher Newport. The contest was played in heavy rain and wind at Harvard's Berylson Field in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Panthers looked to get on the scoreboard first with 6:43 expired in the opening quarter. Following a penalty corner, Ally Kennedy whizzed a shot just wide of the post from the top of the circle.
- Megan Fuqua had a pair of chances in quick succession five minutes later. The senior roped a bid from the left portion of the circle that was saved by Captain goalie Ella Fallen. Fuqua collected the rebound and tried again but Fallen stopped it.
- CNU quickly answered, sending the ball down the field before goalie Izzy Redzic saved a bounding attempt from Avery Mast with 2:48 left in the first frame.
- The Captains had a good opportunity in the waning seconds, as Lindsey Loar rifled a shot that whistled wide of the post.
- Middlebury produced a quality look with 2:05 expired in the second stanza. A cross into the circle found Chandler, whose backhanded flick from five yards in front was saved by Fallen's blocker.
- The Panthers manufactured their final opportunity of the quarter with 1:13 left before the half. Anna Powell sent a pass into the circle from the right side, but Claire McMichael's tip on the post was redirected just outside the frame.
- A majority of the action in the third quarter took place in the midfield. The navy and white had a great opportunity with 2:55 on the clock when McMichael sent a backhanded flick toward the cage. Fallen held strong and deflected the ball away while moving to her right.
- Christopher Newport countered a minute later. Emma Weber propelled a bid on the right post that Middlebury goalie Madeline DiLemme initially saved. The Panther defense denied any rebound attempt by clearing the ball away.
- Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Chandler positioned herself with the ball on the right side and fired a shot that was saved by Fallen. The rebound found the stick of McMichael, whose chance whistled inches outside the left post.
- The Captains put together a final flurry in the closing seconds of regulation. Courtney Hughlett blasted a shot that DiLemme kicked away with 34 seconds remaining. The ball was cleared, but CNU recycled it back into the circle. DiLemme came up big again, denying a pair of point-blank looks from Hughlett and Riley Iasiello, sprawling out to deflect the ball up and over the bar to send the contest to overtime.
- In the extra session, chances were hard to come by until the final minute. Chandler collected a loose ball near the midfield stripe and dribbled through defenders before being fouled from behind. The forward calmly stepped to the dot and buried her bid into the lower-left corner for the thrilling 1-0 triumph.
NOTES
- Chandler's goal was her fifth in the last four games, including three game winners. She leads the team in points (13) and is tied atop the squad ranks with five goals.
- DiLemme recorded a career-high five saves during the 39:03 of action, highlighted by a trio in the fourth quarter.
- The Middlebury defense limited the Captains to a season-low six shots on goal.
- The schools squared off for the first time in field hockey.
The Panthers return to action with a NESCAC matchup on Saturday, hosting Colby at 11:00 a.m.
